In spat, Emerson boycotts A-B beerBy Jeremiah McWilliamsST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCHThursday, Apr. 16 2009One of the St. Louis area's largest companies apparently has had enough with what it perceives as rough treatment by Anheuser-Busch.

Emerson, the Ferguson-based manufacturer of cooling equipment, appliances and tools, plans to boycott A-B products to protest stingier payment policies and what Emerson claims are A-B's cutbacks in funding for local nonprofit groups.

According to an internal memo sent to Emerson's business leaders on Tuesday, Emerson will no longer purchase Anheuser-Busch InBev products for its world headquarters, Winfield Conference Center, company aircraft, or its suites at Busch Stadium, Scottrade Center or Edward Jones Dome. The policy is effective immediately.

"With the InBev acquisition of Anheuser-Busch we have seen negative things happening in the St. Louis community and in regard to Emerson doing business with InBev," according to the memo. "InBev payment terms with Emerson have now been stipulated as 120 days â€” take it or leave it!"

Before InBev took over Anheuser-Busch last year, the St. Louis brewer paid many of its accounts in 30 days. But the combined Anheuser-Busch InBev quickly started taking a tougher line toward suppliers, insisting that it could take as long as 120 days to pay bills. Anheuser-Busch angered some suppliers and lost some who couldn't adjust.

In protest of the new regime, all of Emerson's divisions will stop purchasing Anheuser-Busch InBev products. The memo helpfully provided alternatives: "We suggest you use Coors, Miller, Modelo (Corona, etc.) or Heineken products."

Anheuser-Busch responded late Wednesday with a lengthy statement. The brewer said it was surprised and disappointed at Emerson's stance, calling it an "inaccurate portrayal" of the brewer.

"Emerson's misguided and unfounded comments impact the employees and families of Anheuser-Busch and our area distributors â€” Lohr, Grey Eagle and Krey Distributing â€” and their retailers," Dave Peacock, president of Anheuser-Busch Cos., said in a statement. "Our beers are appreciated by St. Louisans, and nothing has changed about us, or our beers, that should change their minds. Suggesting that Emerson's corporate events should be supplied by other brewers â€” including Heineken and other beers not brewed in St. Louis â€” is surprising and (a decision) that we believe won't be well-appreciated."

Emerson's ban on Anheuser-Busch's products has little chance of slicing into the brewer's bottom line. Back when InBev purchased A-B last year, the wrath of many in St. Louis had a negligible effect on A-B's market share in Missouri.

But coming just months after the deal was completed â€” a transaction that was followed by massive layoffs and a tougher stance toward suppliers â€” the symbolism of the rift is jarring. Emerson and Anheuser-Busch have traditionally been chummy.

The conflict potentially puts August Busch III in an awkward position as well. Busch, CEO of Anheuser-Busch for more than two decades, is on the Emerson board of directors. Another former A-B director, Carlos Fernandez, also is on Emerson's board. Fernandez is CEO of Grupo Modelo, one of the brewers deemed acceptable under Emerson's new policy.

Meanwhile, Anheuser-Busch issued a challenge to Emerson executives.

"As leaders in the St. Louis community, we will continue our commitment and would expect that Emerson would do the same," Peacock said. "We hope Emerson will join us in committing $2 million to the St. Louis United Way, as we committed to months ago after the (InBev) transaction closed."

Even before A-B responded, Emerson seemed a bit taken aback when questioned by the Post-Dispatch.

"We wish Anheuser-Busch InBev and their St. Louis-based employees every success," the company said in a statement Wednesday. "This was intended to be an internal matter, and we regret that it became a public issue. We have nothing further to add."

Guppy, don't you work for these guys?

I especially liked the part about Inbev shitting on the St. Louis community.

"Hey MEG, I'm a Playoff Challenge Champion and you aren't. If you're so GD smart, why the hell haven't you won one?" -WestCoastSpedFan

In spat, Emerson boycotts A-B beerBy Jeremiah McWilliamsST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCHThursday, Apr. 16 2009One of the St. Louis area's largest companies apparently has had enough with what it perceives as rough treatment by Anheuser-Busch.

Emerson, the Ferguson-based manufacturer of cooling equipment, appliances and tools, plans to boycott A-B products to protest stingier payment policies and what Emerson claims are A-B's cutbacks in funding for local nonprofit groups.

According to an internal memo sent to Emerson's business leaders on Tuesday, Emerson will no longer purchase Anheuser-Busch InBev products for its world headquarters, Winfield Conference Center, company aircraft, or its suites at Busch Stadium, Scottrade Center or Edward Jones Dome. The policy is effective immediately.

"With the InBev acquisition of Anheuser-Busch we have seen negative things happening in the St. Louis community and in regard to Emerson doing business with InBev," according to the memo. "InBev payment terms with Emerson have now been stipulated as 120 days â€” take it or leave it!"

Before InBev took over Anheuser-Busch last year, the St. Louis brewer paid many of its accounts in 30 days. But the combined Anheuser-Busch InBev quickly started taking a tougher line toward suppliers, insisting that it could take as long as 120 days to pay bills. Anheuser-Busch angered some suppliers and lost some who couldn't adjust.

In protest of the new regime, all of Emerson's divisions will stop purchasing Anheuser-Busch InBev products. The memo helpfully provided alternatives: "We suggest you use Coors, Miller, Modelo (Corona, etc.) or Heineken products."

Anheuser-Busch responded late Wednesday with a lengthy statement. The brewer said it was surprised and disappointed at Emerson's stance, calling it an "inaccurate portrayal" of the brewer.

"Emerson's misguided and unfounded comments impact the employees and families of Anheuser-Busch and our area distributors â€” Lohr, Grey Eagle and Krey Distributing â€” and their retailers," Dave Peacock, president of Anheuser-Busch Cos., said in a statement. "Our beers are appreciated by St. Louisans, and nothing has changed about us, or our beers, that should change their minds. Suggesting that Emerson's corporate events should be supplied by other brewers â€” including Heineken and other beers not brewed in St. Louis â€” is surprising and (a decision) that we believe won't be well-appreciated."

Emerson's ban on Anheuser-Busch's products has little chance of slicing into the brewer's bottom line. Back when InBev purchased A-B last year, the wrath of many in St. Louis had a negligible effect on A-B's market share in Missouri.

But coming just months after the deal was completed â€” a transaction that was followed by massive layoffs and a tougher stance toward suppliers â€” the symbolism of the rift is jarring. Emerson and Anheuser-Busch have traditionally been chummy.

The conflict potentially puts August Busch III in an awkward position as well. Busch, CEO of Anheuser-Busch for more than two decades, is on the Emerson board of directors. Another former A-B director, Carlos Fernandez, also is on Emerson's board. Fernandez is CEO of Grupo Modelo, one of the brewers deemed acceptable under Emerson's new policy.

Meanwhile, Anheuser-Busch issued a challenge to Emerson executives.

"As leaders in the St. Louis community, we will continue our commitment and would expect that Emerson would do the same," Peacock said. "We hope Emerson will join us in committing $2 million to the St. Louis United Way, as we committed to months ago after the (InBev) transaction closed."

Even before A-B responded, Emerson seemed a bit taken aback when questioned by the Post-Dispatch.

"We wish Anheuser-Busch InBev and their St. Louis-based employees every success," the company said in a statement Wednesday. "This was intended to be an internal matter, and we regret that it became a public issue. We have nothing further to add."

Guppy, don't you work for these guys?

I especially liked the part about Inbev shitting on the St. Louis community.

I used to work for them but like many other places, they let people go.

I think it is awesome what they are doing. They should have said Schlafly instead of the other beers they mentioned.